Voting begins to select new paint color for Jimmie Davis Bridge

The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development seeks input on the new color for the Jimmie Davis Bridge that connects Shreveport-Bossier over the Red River.

The Jimmie Davis Bridge, built in 1968, has about 21,000 vehicles moving across it each day.

Credit Alpsroad.net

The agency has a laundry list of repairs and upgrades it will make to the Jimmie Davis Bridge, including re-decking, structural work, lighting installation and a new paint job. That’s where the public comes in. DOTD public information officer Susan Stafford says it’s allowing people to vote on their color preference through Survey Monkey and a Facebook campaign called “Pick the Paint.”

“This bridge was built in 1968. So, it has a long history. It is the Jimmie Davis Bridge, named for the former governor. We’re excited to let the people pick the color of that bridge. It’s a major artery through Shreveport-Bossier," Stafford said.

There are eight color choices. The bridge project is slated to cost around $17 million. Stafford says bids will go out in October, and construction will begin in Jan. 2015. The bridge will be closed for about one year. Voting on its new color ends May 2.

Stafford says this is the first time that Louisiana's DOTD has tried to involve the public in a choice like this.

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